Broncos executive Matt Russell faces Breckenridge DUI charge

Related Media

Matt Russell, the Denver Broncos’ director of player personnel, was arrested Saturday in Summit County after rear-ending a Breckenridge Police Department vehicle, the Colorado State Patrol reported Monday.

Russell, 40, of Denver, is charged in Summit County court with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without proper proof of insurance, driving with an open container and careless driving causing injury.

Trooper Nate Reid, public information officer for the state patrol, said Monday the call was initiated just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday by a local resident as a Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately call. The reporting party told authorities he witnessed a vehicle driving erratically southbound on Highway 9 towards Breckenridge.

“A Breckenridge police officer responded to the area and believed he identified the vehicle,” Reid said. “He made a safe and legal U-turn and waited on the shoulder for the vehicle to pass him. Instead, the vehicle struck the rear end of the police car.”

The driver was later identified as Russell, who was transported to Summit Medical Center to be cleared for jail. The responding officer sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash and also was transported to Summit Medical Center, Reid said. He was released a short time later.

“I deeply regret the poor judgment I demonstrated that resulted in my arrest over the weekend,” Russell said in a statement. “I apologize to the Denver Broncos, our fans and the National Football League for this inexcusable mistake. I’m ashamed that I represented this region and the Broncos organization in the manner that I did. I take complete responsibility for my actions and will be fully accountable. Going forward, I will take steps to ensure this never happens again.”

Russell’s blood alcohol content was not released in accordance with Colorado State Patrol policy, Reid said. He was released from Summit County Jail on Sunday after posting $1,000 bond, according to Summit County Sheriff’s Office records.

In addition to the Breckenridge Police Department vehicle crash, it was reported Monday that Russell also was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Frisco. But Reid said Monday Russell stopped after that first accident and exchanged information with the other driver.

Investigations into both crashes by the Colorado State Patrol are ongoing.

Russell joined the Broncos as the team’s college scouting director in 2009. Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway promoted Russell to his current position in January 2012.

His position with the team could be at risk now given the seriousness of the charges. Russell also will be subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy, which could result in suspension and/or fine for off-the-field arrests.

“Our organization is extremely disappointed and concerned with the incident involving Matt Russell,” the Broncos said in a statement. “We immediately expressed our disappointment to Matt, and he is fully aware of the seriousness of this situation. This type of behavior is unacceptable and very troubling.”